The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-07-09
Ottawa, H., July o, 1887.
Current Events.

The republican members of the G. A
X. of the futile, Fairchild, swash buckler
type, will probably be able to cavort them
selves to their hearts content at the reunion
at st. Louis, Prerident Cleveland having
withdrawn his acceptance of an invitation
10 be present at st. Louis during the re-un
ion his letter withdrawing his deception
having been published on Thursday morn.
ing. He says he had concluded to go to
st. Louis at the time indicated, bnt as i'm
mediately II was announced the expressions
of certain high g. A. II. official decided
him to review his determination. He
says r, o..,o,, uo,...o, 30 80 30 ,,o
extent Of declaring that would he an
unwelcome guest at the time and place OF
the national encampment This statement
Is based, as well as can judge, upon Ger.
tain official acts of mine involving impor.
tant public Interests, done under the re
straints and obligations of my oath of office,
which do not appear to accord with the
wishes of some members OF the Grand
Army of the Republic. refuse TO believe
that this organization, founded upon the
patriotic ideas composed very largely of
men entitled to lastipg honor and consider.
alton, and whose crowning glory 1t should
be that they are American citizens as well
as veteran soldiers, deems 1t part of its
mission to compass any object or purpose
by attempting TO intimidate the executive
or coerce those charged with making and
executing the laws, and yet the expressions
10 which | have referred indicate such a
prevalence of unfriendly feeling and such
menace to an occasion which should be
harmonious, peaceful and cordial, that they
cannot be ignored.
al beg you TO understand that am not
conscious of any act Of mine which should
make me fear to meet the Grand Army of
the republic or any other essemblage of my
fellow citizens.
"The account Of my official stewardship
Is always ready for presentation to my
countrymen should not be frank If
failed to confess while discaimng all re-
sentiment, that have been hurt by the un.
worthy and wanton attacks upon me grow.
Ing out of this matter, and the reckless man
ner In which my actions and motives have
been misrepresented, both publicly and
privately, for which, however, the Grand
Army of the Republic as a body IL by no
means responsible. The heat of personal
violence and harm In case | undertake the
trip in question, which scores of misguided,
unbalanced men under the stimulation of
excited feeling have made, are not even
considered. Rather than abandon my visit
to the west and dlsappoint your citizens,
might, If | alone were concerned, submit
to the insult, to which II Is quite openly
asserted | would be helplessly subjected,
II present at the encampment; but should
bear with me there the peoples highest
Office, the dignity of which must protect,
and believe that neither the Grand Army
of the Republic as an organization, nor any.
thing like u me- jority of Its mem ers would
ever encourage any scandalous attack upon
It. If, however, among the membership of
this body there are some, as certainly seems
to be the case, determined to denounce me
and my official acts at the national encamp p.
meDt believe they should be permitted to
do 80 unrestralned by my presence as a
guest Of their organization, or as guest of
the hospitable city In which their meeting
Is held. A number of Grand Army of the
Republic posts have signi6ed their inten.
ton, am informed, to remain away from
the encampment In case visit the city at
that time Without considering the merit
of such an excuse, teel that ought not
70 be the cause of such non attendance. The
time and place of the encampment were
fixed long before my invitations were re-
te,ved. Those DESTROYS to participate In
its proceedings should be first regarded
and nothing should be permitted to inter
fere with their Intentions"
He adds further that this being the first
reunion In a southern state" no act OF his
shall interfere or retard "the progress of
tue sentiment of common brotherhood
which the Grand Army has 30 good an op
pertunity to increase and found" and tina,
he abandons his plans from sense of duty
and desire TO leave st. Louis entirely
unembarrassed in her hospitality
The Uuion Labor Party of Ohio met In
convention on the 9th and nominated a full
State ticket. The convention was harmon.
tous. VI their platform, after demanding
a large number Of reforms In state admin
istration, the salient points are:
the delegates OF the Union Labor party
OF the State OF Ohio, In convention assem-.
bled, regard our industrial and political
situation with grave alarm.
"The natural agencies of production and
distribution are seized by syndicates of
spectators and gamblers TO whom every
productive industry In the land Is com.
PEELED to pay tribute.
Laws are enacted and administered In
the special interest Of com binations of cor.
p,rations of aggregated wealth to the deri
N mt OF both producer and consumer.
THE enfire machinery of the two dom
insui parties Is manipulated by the doodle
Of monopoly, thus leaving the masses Of